Thursday, March 13, 2008

Came across this little tidbit over at Watchdog and considering I'm going with all New York related posts today I figured it appropriate. Stephen A. Smith's contract is up with the "Leader" and according to Neil Best they're "reassessing" his role with the network.....

With his contract up, ESPN and Smith are reassessing his role, and according to a person in the industry with knowledge of his situation, that might well include no longer doing his local and national radio shows.

Smith has had a show on ESPN 1050 for three years. In September, the second hour of the show went national.

It appears unlikely Smith will leave ESPN entirely. Under a new deal, he presumably would focus on his TV work as an NBA analyst.

Rats. Stephen A. Smith has been everywhere in the past year including Weekend SportsCenter, radio, NBA coverage, and at multiple appearances on FOX News. Less is more ESPN...just remember that during you "redefining period".

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Comments:

Why does Stephen A bring up race so much? His partner just brought up Babe Ruth, and he instantly said "Barry Bonds". The point the partner was making was great Yankees, but all Stephen A sees is a white man...So his partner continued with Gehrig, Mantle, Joe Dimaggio and Stephen A said that Joe D shouldn't be talked about because of his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. ESPN can't get him off the air fast enough. Hey Stephen A, it's not all about race.

If SAS does go, they'll either expand Sports Nation(god forbid), or pick up some other schmuck's show, because IIRC, Tirico only consented to the gig after it was reduced to two hours. I don't see him sitting there for the extra hour(unless he's forced to).